Gov's race: Levy makes withdrawal official, backs Lazio

News, views and commentary on Long Island, state and national politics.

Just weeks ago, Suffolk Executive Steve Levy was saying Rick Lazio didn't cut it as a candidate for governor and suggested he helped wreck the American economy (as allegedly had Democrat Andrew Cuomo at HUD) -- in Lazio's case by voting to dismatle Glass-Stegall, and taking other objectionable steps in Congress. This was while Lazio was pointing out Levy's votes as an Assemblyman in conjunction with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver's Democratic majority.

But politics has its demands, and on this Friday afternoon, set for proper burial in the Saturday papers and after much delay, we have this dispatch from Rick Brand:

Nearly two months after the state GOP convention... Levy has formally given up his gubernatorial ambitions — at least for this year.

As expected, Levy said he will not spend the money needed to collect the more than 15,000 signatures on petitions to run an independent candidacy for governor.

He also gave a backhanded endorsement to GOP governor-designee Rick Lazio, saying he “will work hard toward accomplishing many of the goals I set out in my campaign.”

Levy said he “had several conversations” with Lazio who promised to “vigorously pursue the tax and spending caps we so desperately need” and “aggressively oppose illegal immigration and the heavy cost it places on local government.”

Sounds like they're skipping the champagne and the balloons on this one.

Get The 1600 newsletter

Get our inside look at the White House and goings on in the Donald Trump administration.